Destructive tornadoes in the southern US: dead and dozens injured, heavy damage to houses and infrastructure
An 8-year-old boy and his 30-year-old mother are among the victims of one of the worst tornadoes to hit Louisiana, with Texas also suffering extensive damage, while more than 10 million people are under various warnings
A tornado hit Louisiana on Tuesday evening and severely damaged the town of Keithville, killing three people, including a young boy and his 30-year-old mother, and injuring dozens.
The storm hit south of Shreveport, damaging several homes and downing trees and power lines. Rescuers and sheriffs found the body of an 8-year-old boy in a wooded area near Keithville, where his home was completely destroyed, and when his mother was reported missing.
After several hours of searching, his 30-year-old mother’s body was found under a pile of debris one block above where they lived. As mentioned, the forces located another victim, but his identity is still unknown.
At least two more residents of the town were injured and hospitalized, when the doctors did not provide information about their condition. Also, about 20 more people were injured in Farmerville, where there are also many reports of damage.
TORNADO DAMAGE: New photos just in from Union Parish, LA. Major damage left behind after the tornado trailed through earlier. Several reports of injuries have already been made. #lawx #wxtwitter pic.twitter.com/kJo8yEM02C
— Jake Lambright (@jakelambright) December 14, 2022
The deadly tornado in Louisiana is part of extremely severe weather moving eastward across the US, which has produced numerous tornadoes in southern states and severe conditions and blizzards from the Midwest to the Northeast.
The storm also hit various centers in Texas. In the area between Dallas and Fort Worth, where five people were injured, apparently all in a minor condition. The local weather service reported that the area may have experienced at least 12 tornadoes, with five of them officially confirmed, and one of which reached at least 200 km/h.
#Grapevine #DFW #Texas
Wild tornado footage. pic.twitter.com/rlBuHlmVIm— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) December 13, 2022
Across Texas and Louisiana, more than ten million residents are under various levels of severe weather warnings or advisories. Another 640,000 people in Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska are under storm and snow warnings.
All major roads between Nebraska and Colorado were closed due to the large storm, mainly due to very poor visibility. The Nebraska Department of Transportation called out to the public: “If your destination is west, now is the time to stop!”.
“Oh my god! That is getting big.”
Likely #tornado spotted near Fort Worth, Texas. #txwx
Credit: @0xB8man pic.twitter.com/SSnMSf6rto— AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 13, 2022
Interstate 90 from Chamberlain to Wyoming is closed, as is Interstate 70 westbound, closed near the Kansas-Colorado border.
Oklahoma was also affected by the severe weather, and south of Oklahoma City a tornado hit with winds of up to 200 km/h that struck powerfully for about five kilometers. So far no injuries have been reported, but the county emergency management agency reported a large number of “damaged structures”, as well as utility poles Electricity and fallen trees.
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